"threw caution to the wind and injected the youthful energy of Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure and Balard into the action. Their introductions sparked Australia into life and Toure was the man who set up Balard for the 87th minute winner. Balard, a former Central Coast Mariners midfielder now on the books of Dutch side NAC Breda, had only been brought on for his first cap two minutes earlier."
"Injury and the form of Aziz Behich have largely prevented the Feyenoord defender from getting regular game time under Popovic but the Melburnian looked instantly assured as the starting left-sided wingback. Bos's marauding runs forward made New Zealand appear vulnerable and on one foray upfield he slalomed past three All Whites before sending a dipping shot just over the bar."
Max Balard scored the 87th-minute winner two minutes after entering as a substitute, securing a 1-0 friendly victory over New Zealand at Canberra's GIO Stadium. An experimental Australian side struggled for most of the match but came alive when Tony Popovic introduced Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure and Balard in the final quarter-hour. Mohamed Toure provided the assist for Balard's decisive finish. Balard previously played for Central Coast Mariners and now represents Dutch club NAC Breda. Jordan Bos impressed as the starting left-sided wingback, while Chris Wood troubled the Australian defence early on by bullying Milos Degenek.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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